The Board of Directors of Wesgro (the Western Cape’s Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) has announced the appointment of Tim Harris as the new Chief Executive Officer. 
Harris will replace the outgoing CEO, Nils Flaatten whose contract expires in April 2015.
Professor Brian Figaji, Chairman of the Wesgro Board, said: “The current CEO indicated that on completion of his contract he wanted to return to the private sector. As part of our succession planning the Board of Directors embarked on a recruitment process. We received 119 applications for the post from which we compiled a short list of eight candidates. One of the candidates withdrew from the process which was conducted by a Board Sub-committee. The Sub-committee then compiled a short list of three candidates from which Mr. Tim Harris emerged as the candidate for CEO. This Sub-committee consisted of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and two members of the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and the outgoing CEO. The full board of directors ratified the nomination at our Board meeting today.”
Harris, who currently serves as Investment Officer at the City of Cape Town, will commence his three-year term once negotiation around timings with the City of Cape Town has been completed. 
Harris said: "I am honoured to accept the challenge of leading Wesgro. With a mandate to promote Trade, Investment and Tourism in the Western Cape, Wesgro has a unique opportunity to help drive provincial economic growth rates higher.”
Figaji said the Board of Directors was working on the new five-year strategy for the agency that was in line with the Western Cape Government’s planning cycle. This new strategy will be delivered to MEC, Alan Winde, early in the new year.